Scholarships Awarded at Christmas Classic

The Manchester boys and Manasquan girls basketball teams were not the only winners at the recently-held 30^th annual WOBM Christmas Classic.

Eight college freshman who played in the 2012 tournament each received $500 scholarships for their outstanding academic performance while in high school.

The presentations were made by Michael Slusarz, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications for Barnabas Health, the presenting sponsor for the tournament.  Through the support of Barnabas Health and its local hospitals (Community, Kimball and Monmouth Medical Centers) a total of $4000 was awarded as part of the annual scholarship program which was originated by tournament founder and director Kevin Williams.

Receiving $500 each at halftime of the girl’s championship game on December 30 between Manasquan and Red Bank Catholic were Samantha DeCapua (Barnegat/Widener University), Kendall Kiernan (Manchester/University of Delaware), Lindsay Shore (TR East/Providence College) and Jessica Macchi (Point Boro/New York University).  All four were standouts in the classroom while in high school while also serving as valuable members of their varsity basketball program.

The boy’s recipients were saluted at halftime of the championship game between Manchester and Jackson Memorial.  Receiving $500 from Slusarz were Joseph Esposito (Brick Memorial/Penn State), Alan Burdge (Wall/The College of NJ), John Sullivan (Brick/OCC) and Andrew Sauer (Barnegat/Clemson University).

Since the tournament began in 1984 a total of 96 players have been recognized for their academic accomplishments receiving nearly $70,000 in awards to help with college expenses.